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View Full Version : Game Thread: Xavier vs. Butler (2/21/2021)



paulxu
02-19-2021, 09:04 AM
https://www.brickeconomy.com/resources/images/sets/lego-8804-3_large.jpgVS. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e3/1d/f2/e31df2561baade18a1e16caa801de632.jpg


THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (11-4, 4-4 BIG EAST)
BUTLER UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS (7-12, 6-10 BIG EAST)
SUNDAY, FEB. 21, 2021 AT 7:00 P.M. ET
CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Eric Collins and analysis from Dickey Simpkins.
Radio: 700 WLW-AM with play-by-play from XU Hall of Famer and former XU standout Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU Hall of Famer and all-time
leading scorer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast also available on Sirius XM channel 385 and internet 975.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

paulxu
02-19-2021, 09:04 AM
Busy tomorrow. Getting a head start on something else besides a Travis review.

drudy23
02-19-2021, 10:20 AM
Just win.

By 1 or 51.

Just win.

muskiefan82
02-19-2021, 11:45 AM
Just win.

By 1 or 51.

Just win.

Yes, but 51 would be really nice

xukeith
02-19-2021, 11:51 AM
In the famous words of late great college coach John Chaney, "I'll kick your ass!!"

slysyl
02-19-2021, 02:25 PM
It was more like ''I'll kill you'', to Coach Calipari.

paulxu
02-21-2021, 08:47 AM
Bus trip game day :shield:

UCGRAD4X
02-21-2021, 01:22 PM
Coach says 90% of college basketball wishes they were Xavier.

Wonder if buttler in the 90 or the 10.

Xville
02-21-2021, 04:33 PM
X opened as 6 point favorites, moved to 8...gawd butler sucks

JTG
02-21-2021, 05:52 PM
Butler missing Nze, Thompson and Hodges tonight. If we lose we should drop D1 bball.

xudash
02-21-2021, 05:56 PM
Butler missing Nze, Thompson and Hodges tonight. If we lose we should drop D1 bball.

It's a trick!

Stay focused!!

Drew
02-21-2021, 06:01 PM
Butler dodging us?

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 06:11 PM
The ultimate get right game.

xuphan
02-21-2021, 06:39 PM
Butler dodging us?

Hope to see less Carter and Kunkel and more Jones, Wilcher, and Tandy out there tonight.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 06:46 PM
X opened as 6 point favorites, moved to 8...gawd butler sucks

Line is up to 11.

paulxu
02-21-2021, 06:59 PM
ESPN can't even be bothered to note this game is broadcast on FS1.

Xville
02-21-2021, 07:05 PM
Ahh we get to enjoy this great big 10 snooze fest before tip

waggy
02-21-2021, 07:23 PM
Is this broadcast in standard def?

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 07:24 PM
Is this broadcast in standard def?

Looks terrible and dark IMO.

noteggs
02-21-2021, 07:25 PM
Nice to see Zach more physical

whopper
02-21-2021, 07:35 PM
shocked to see Sean McDermott on Memphis in nba and had 9 points. I always watched him and thought that any pasty looking guy (no doubt he is an incredible athlete) should watch his movement off the ball and ability to get enough defensive rebounds so as not to be a liability. He was so crisp in movement compared to many. "Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 19, 2020, and has appeared in eight games for Memphis this season, totaling 31 points, four assists and 12 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game." 16 min in NBA games is a lot so he was in rotation

bjf123
02-21-2021, 07:41 PM
This really sloppy by both teams. Ugh.


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xavierj
02-21-2021, 07:41 PM
Looks like another game we can’t shoot the ball or finish. Kunkel was brutal.

Xville
02-21-2021, 07:42 PM
Odom where ya been buddy? Nice to see him contributing again....missed him. I like this lineup...need a lot more of this 4 guard 1 big. No reason to have carter and free on the floor together

And as I say that Steele puts them together.... good effing grief

drudy23
02-21-2021, 07:43 PM
Over 60% from 2.

0% from 3

Hmm

xavierj
02-21-2021, 07:44 PM
Can’t shoot again and refuses to play Tandy.

bjf123
02-21-2021, 07:48 PM
Can’t shoot again and refuses to play Tandy.

He’s in now. Let’s see what happens.


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xuphan
02-21-2021, 07:48 PM
CanÂ’t shoot again and refuses to play Tandy.

Wish one of the reporters would ask Steele point blank why he won’t play Tandy.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 07:50 PM
Hmmm - see what happens when we fall in love with jumpshots?

Xville
02-21-2021, 07:51 PM
Losing to butler..at home...without three of their better players. What the hell is wrong with this team.

X Factor
02-21-2021, 07:51 PM
Butler is missing three of their best players...remember that.

Xville
02-21-2021, 07:52 PM
Whoa...Ramsey is in?

drudy23
02-21-2021, 07:52 PM
Butler is missing three of their best players...remember that.

But....but....but...

xavierj
02-21-2021, 07:54 PM
Losing to butler..at home...without three of their better players. What the hell is wrong with this team.

I have no idea. Good shooters can no longer shoot wide open shots. Can’t finish layups. Look really tight and not playing loose. Just ugly.

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 07:54 PM
Is the game over?

At least you all can’t say Steele doesn’t change anything. Daniel Ramsey back from the dead. Is Elias Harden going to check in next?

Xville
02-21-2021, 07:54 PM
This team looks so lost, and already ten guys have played. I have no idea how any of these players are supposed to find a rhythm with the hockey line changes.

xuphan
02-21-2021, 07:54 PM
Butler is missing three of their best players...remember that.

They are missing there three best players and are still beating us? Yikes!

Xavier
02-21-2021, 07:55 PM
He’s in now. Let’s see what happens.


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Missed open 3, out muscled on Easy rebound leading to a butler score, terrible turn over.

*just to be fair I like having him in right now and am good with him Over Kunkel for this game though.

Xville
02-21-2021, 07:56 PM
Ramsey!!!

xuphan
02-21-2021, 07:56 PM
Butler is missing three of their best players...remember that.

Butler is missing there 3 best players and we are missing most of our team by the looks of it.

HenryMuto
02-21-2021, 07:56 PM
I have no idea who Ramsey is but give me more of it !!!!!!!!!!

Xville
02-21-2021, 07:56 PM
Ramsey!!!!!!! Where ya been big fella??

drudy23
02-21-2021, 07:56 PM
Did Ramsey grow?

He looks bigger.

Lloyd Braun
02-21-2021, 07:57 PM
I don’t know whether to be happy or angry

xavierj
02-21-2021, 07:57 PM
Nice hustle by Tandy on that last play.

bjf123
02-21-2021, 08:00 PM
Nice hustle by Tandy on that last play.

Absolutely. But he followed it up with an off balance try from deep.


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Xville
02-21-2021, 08:00 PM
I know it is butler but I like Ramsey’s game....nice to see him healthy.

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 08:01 PM
I know it is butler but I like Ramsey’s game....nice to see him healthy.

Trav checked in on the board and took your and drudy’s advice for a physical 4 to heart. Wonder if he used Mack’s burner account.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 08:01 PM
Absolutely. But he followed it up with an off balance try from deep.


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After he hit the same shot. He is 2-4 now. Can’t over analyze every shot he takes. He’s a scorer.

Xavier
02-21-2021, 08:01 PM
I know it is butler but I like Ramsey’s game....nice to see him healthy.

Yep. Take advantage of foul trouble. Hope he gets some minutes in 2nd half too

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:02 PM
Absolutely have to play Tandy more...insane that it has taken until this game to give him some extended minutes since the beginning of the year.

Lloyd Braun
02-21-2021, 08:03 PM
Is it that hard to contest the perimeter shots?

paulxu
02-21-2021, 08:03 PM
That was a lot of step on that last shot.

I do like Jones. He's not afraid to go after a rebound down low, and that pass to Ramsey was perfect for the jam...instead of trying something himself.

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 08:03 PM
Tough end of half sequence there. Great look for the guy having the best shooting season in Xavier history is off and then Tandy defends a tough look pretty well but it drops.

I think X will win this one by 10-15. Not worried.

XUOWNSUC
02-21-2021, 08:03 PM
Our last possession was stupid. Why waste the clock? Dumb.

whopper
02-21-2021, 08:04 PM
bad ending and i honestly hate the Allen Iverson dribble at mid court and do nothing until some designated time to start the play. I think we had a foul to give as i dont remember them taking more than a couple of foul shote.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:05 PM
Halftime:

62% from 2
10% from 3

Hmmm

I do like that we've only taken 30% of our shots from 3 vs. 60%.

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:05 PM
1-10 from 3? Yuck

Xavier
02-21-2021, 08:06 PM
bad ending and i honestly hate the Allen Iverson dribble at mid court and do nothing until some designated time to start the play. I think we had a foul to give as i dont remember them taking more than a couple of foul shote.

I don’t think they had a foul to give and Scruggs found Johnson an open corner 3

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 08:06 PM
Halftime:

62% from 2
10% from 3

Hmmm

I do like that we've only taken 30% of our shots from 3 vs. 60%.

Pretty much every 3 was a good look. Maybe could argue one or two. But yeah if this team shoots 10% from three they aren’t going anywhere (see the last two seasons).

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:07 PM
Pretty much every 3 was a good look. Maybe could argue one or two. But yeah if this team shoots 10% from three they aren’t going anywhere (see the last two seasons).

Didn't mind the 3s so far in this game. Have to make 3-4 out of 10 though.

Happy to see they're at least flip flopping and working inside - out.

However, their 10-0 run we shot 5 jumpers in 5 possessions. Re-focus after 2-3 jump shots with no movement.

XUOWNSUC
02-21-2021, 08:07 PM
Halftime:

62% from 2
10% from 3

Hmmm

I do like that we've only taken 30% of our shots from 3 vs. 60%.

44% FT too

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:08 PM
Pretty much every 3 was a good look. Maybe could argue one or two. But yeah if this team shoots 10% from three they aren’t going anywhere (see the last two seasons).

Funny part is that the one that was pretty contested went in.

I think they will be fine tonight and win, but this team just still seems really off.

noteggs
02-21-2021, 08:08 PM
Definitely should have players rested for 2nd. It will be interesting to see who plays and when.

XBR1
02-21-2021, 08:08 PM
Halftime:

62% from 2
10% from 3

Hmmm

I do like that we've only taken 30% of our shots from 3 vs. 60%.

They started the game feeding the middle. Then they started going 3 ball again. Feed the post.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:10 PM
They started the game feeding the middle. Then they started going 3 ball again. Feed the post.

Exactly - when they focus and work inside-out they are fine. When they start chucking jumpers with little ball movement, they go into lulls.

The key is the coaching staff realizing it and re-focusing before the opposing team turns it into runs.

xuphan
02-21-2021, 08:11 PM
Absolutely have to play Tandy more...insane that it has taken until this game to give him some extended minutes since the beginning of the year.

He can take some of Nate’s minutes in the second half. Nate just ain’t at the races tonight. No need to let him shoot bricks in the second half.

Xavier
02-21-2021, 08:11 PM
Butler went zone and really disrupted the inside game. Had a few drives but just didn’t fall. They will be fine, I’d like to see more Ramsay in 2nd half and more Tandy. Tandy getting into a zone can elevate the end of the year run. Get him time in the 2nd, please

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:11 PM
He can take some of Nate’s minutes in the second half. Nate just ain’t at the races tonight. No need to let him shoot bricks in the second half.

Shooters shoot.

whopper
02-21-2021, 08:12 PM
i hope you are right but when guys like Harris and Bolden have nothing to lose they can be dangerous and others seem competent

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 08:13 PM
He can take some of Nate’s minutes in the second half. Nate just ain’t at the races tonight. No need to let him shoot bricks in the second half.

Yeah, not like Johnson has earned the right to play through a mini slump. Jesus. This isn’t fantasy basketball you gotta do some actual longer term thinking as far as playing time goes.

HenryMuto
02-21-2021, 08:14 PM
Rough end to the half.

This is a must win in every way.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 08:15 PM
Brutal first half. 10% from three, 4 for 9 from the line, out rebounded 18-17, and Nate and Paul 2-10 and 0-4. Nate was 1-7, 0-4, 1 board and 0 assists. And the guy he is guarding had 10 points. Can’t get much worse I do not think. at least I hope not. Bench production was good. Need the supposed leaders and older guys to step up.

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:16 PM
Yeah have no problem with Johnson taking shots. I mean he’s a shooter, just like I don’t mind if Tandy shoots every time he’s open. It’s carter and others that I’d have the issue with shooting them.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 08:21 PM
Man Nate getting worked.

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 08:22 PM
Colby is so special. What a talent.

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:24 PM
Free with two great defensive stands in a row...it’s a Christmas miracle!

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:24 PM
Colby is so special. What a talent.

No kidding so darn good...only knock I have with him is that he is sometimes too unselfish

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:27 PM
What if (and stay with me here) we're just not very good?

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:28 PM
Free does not need to shoot a 3 every time he is open.

bjf123
02-21-2021, 08:28 PM
What if (and stay with me here) we're just not very good?

We’re sure not so far tonight.


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Xville
02-21-2021, 08:30 PM
What if (and stay with me here) we're just not very good?

That would kind of be an issue in the third year, right? And here comes kunkel in...I swear to gawd Steele coaches by numbers sometimes. Tandy and Ramsey gave you a spark in the first half, maybe try them first off the bench for fucks sake this half and see what happens.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 08:30 PM
What if (and stay with me here) we're just not very good?

Yeah I am starting to think that may be the case. Got masked a little in the non conference and the Marquette and Providence wins. Look more in DePaul and Butlers league than the top half. Now if they could make shots they would probably be up big right now but at some point you are what you are.

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 08:32 PM
I love Paul but I hope he starts playing like he had been at the start of the year. He hasn't been himself the last 3 games at all

profson
02-21-2021, 08:32 PM
What if (and stay with me here) we're just not very good?

It is as if this Board forgot the coaches picked us 7th and most of us thought a .500 record in the BE would be reasonable.

xu82
02-21-2021, 08:34 PM
I have the game on.

In the kitchen.

I’m not in the kitchen.

I’ll decide later if I go to the recording. This year is too strange for me to hang on every possession, but it certainly concerns me.

XUOWNSUC
02-21-2021, 08:34 PM
Please take Kunkle out. Odom and Kyky are playing better tonight.

bjf123
02-21-2021, 08:34 PM
STOP SHOOTING THREES!!!!!!!!


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GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:34 PM
It is as if this Board forgot the coaches picked us 7th and most of us thought a .500 record in the BE would be reasonable.

It's almost like we're neck and neck mid second half with a Butler team that's likely not a top 150 team with the guys they have available tonight.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:35 PM
Well, we struggled against multiple mid-majors, needed a prayer to beat Marquette and needed a miracle to beat Providence, so.....

paulxu
02-21-2021, 08:35 PM
2-15 on 3's. I thought we had some good shooters, what we were missing in prior years.
Just hit 30% and it's not a contest.

xudash
02-21-2021, 08:36 PM
That would kind of be an issue in the third year, right? And here comes kunkel in...I swear to gawd Steele coaches by numbers sometimes. Tandy and Ramsey gave you a spark in the first half, maybe try them first off the bench for fucks sake this half and see what happens.

This I agree with 100%. Especially after Kunkel’s last missed 3.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:38 PM
Done with TS.

Tandy and Ramsey had 9pts in 4 mins and are picking pine out of their posteriors.

Fire him today!

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:40 PM
Colby Jones is a stud.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:40 PM
Colby Jones locked into the starting spot for 3.5 more years.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:40 PM
Done with TS.

Tandy and Ramsey had 9pts in 4 mins and are picking pine out of their posteriors.

Fire him today!

Annnnd Cater’s played 25 so far

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:40 PM
If I was a reporter at the press conference...first question would be...coach, why do you think it is a good idea to play free and carter together? Second question: why when Ramsey and Tandy gave you such a needed spark in the first half, we’re they not back in the game the first ten minutes of the second?

DexterBailey84
02-21-2021, 08:41 PM
Man Colby Jones is no joke! Smooth as silk.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:41 PM
Carter? Fuck.

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 08:41 PM
Colby Jones locked into the starting spot for 3.5 more years.

I've been wondering lately if we'll see the under on that.

xudash
02-21-2021, 08:42 PM
Carter? Fuck.

Beat me to it. Unbelievable.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:42 PM
Carter? Fuck.

Must be intangibles coaches speak of.

bjf123
02-21-2021, 08:43 PM
Butler has made one of their last eleven shots and we’re only up 7? That’s embarrassing!!!!!


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Xville
02-21-2021, 08:43 PM
Must be intangibles coaches speak of.

Such an awesome gold Jersey point getter, plus his orange slices are the best.

xudash
02-21-2021, 08:43 PM
Bring back KyKy and Ramsey with fresh legs and run these guys out of the gym. They’re getting tired.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:44 PM
Let's go ahead and get the ugly cover. Those always manage to look pretty even when they're ugly!

X Factor
02-21-2021, 08:45 PM
It is as if this Board forgot the coaches picked us 7th and most of us thought a .500 record in the BE would be reasonable.

So let's never expect X to outperform expectations. Whatever the media and coaches decide on Xavier, that should be our expectations.

Where was St John's picked to finish? This is Mike Anderson's second year.

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:46 PM
X will beat butler tonight because they are effing awful and short handed but there is nothing about this game that makes me think Steele has an effing clue how to make adjustments based on how players are playing within the game and it is year 3

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:46 PM
Butler sucks.

HAAS_U
02-21-2021, 08:47 PM
Bring back KyKy and Ramsey with fresh legs and run these guys out of the gym. They’re getting tired.

If only we had a coach who understands making in game adjustments and lineup rotations...

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:47 PM
Butler sucks.

But they have a better coach.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:47 PM
X will beat butler tonight because they are effing awful and short handed but there is nothing about this game that makes me think Steele has an effing clue how to make adjustments based on how players are playing within the game and it is year 3

I loved the game plan at the start. Then we went away from it.

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:47 PM
8 minutes left...Steele looks down at his coach by numbers book....hmmm Tandy and Ramsey don’t have enough gold Jersey points so I can’t put them in...guess I’ll just put carter and kunkel out there.

bjf123
02-21-2021, 08:48 PM
Butler sucks.

At the moment, so do we.


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SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 08:49 PM
Every lose ball is going to the other team. And it's been way this way for a few games now.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:50 PM
8 minutes left...Steele looks down at his coach by numbers book....hmmm Tandy and Ramsey don’t have enough gold Jersey points so I can’t put them in...guess I’ll just put carter and kunkel out there.

Glad Carter was in there for that foul

X Factor
02-21-2021, 08:50 PM
Where is Ramsey and Tandy?

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:51 PM
Thank God we got Carter a look.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:51 PM
Where is Ramsey and Tandy?

Looking to transfer

paulxu
02-21-2021, 08:51 PM
Yes, I'm the biggest Xman on the floor...let me run out here and launch another 3.
Why would I ever play down low.

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:52 PM
Jason fucking carter... not his fault, Steele just doesn’t have a fucking clue

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 08:52 PM
They're not going to cover this 7.5 are they. Not my favorite Xavier watch ever.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:52 PM
Boo Steele. Boooooooook that man

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:53 PM
47 points? Against butler lol I thought our offense was good, coach?

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:53 PM
They're not going to cover this 7.5 are they.

Only if Butler scores negative points. This Butler squad is just shitty enough to maybe do that.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:54 PM
Odds on ripping the jerseys off line in the presser?

HAAS_U
02-21-2021, 08:54 PM
They're not going to cover this 7.5 are they. Not my favorite Xavier watch ever.

Nope.

SkyWalker
02-21-2021, 08:54 PM
If only we had a coach who understands making in game adjustments and lineup rotations...


If only we had a coach!

Xavier
02-21-2021, 08:54 PM
As butler continues getting offensive rebounds I hope you see why 4 guard line up isn’t ideal.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 08:55 PM
That was a bad call.

Blue Blooded-05
02-21-2021, 08:55 PM
Carter is now 26 of 100 from three in his Xavier career. How could you not give him the green light?

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 08:55 PM
Is that 5 on Carter? Please?

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 08:56 PM
Odom and Jones bringing the heart tonight!

drudy23
02-21-2021, 08:56 PM
Carter is now 26 of 100 from three in his Xavier career. How could you not give him the green light?

He's the stretch 4 Steele has been looking for.

XU 23
02-21-2021, 08:56 PM
Announcer says that Butler's 3 leading scorers are out.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 08:56 PM
Odom has some jets.

waggy
02-21-2021, 08:57 PM
Odom is one of the fastest players ever to play for X.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 08:58 PM
Cover still in sight!

Xville
02-21-2021, 08:58 PM
Butler is so awful. Without those three players, the only team they may be better than what Xavier has played this year is oakland

Xavier
02-21-2021, 08:59 PM
Odom is one of the fastest players ever to play for X.

Yep. He is strong for X, will be really good. Like to see him get some more time

Xville
02-21-2021, 09:00 PM
Have to seriously wonder what Ramsey and Tandy are thinking on the bench right now...”like what the fuck else do you want us to do to play, coach”

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 09:00 PM
If Odom learns to shoot just a little, like Jason Carter level, he'll be a problem for everyone else.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 09:00 PM
Jason Carter has two rebounds tonight. That can’t be ideal.

chico
02-21-2021, 09:00 PM
As butler continues getting offensive rebounds I hope you see why 4 guard line up isn’t ideal.

To be fair, a lot of those rebounds are because the shots being taken are so bad the ball is bouncing hard off the rim.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 09:01 PM
Jason Carter has two rebounds tonight. That can’t be ideal.

How can he rebound when he spends 90% of his time on the 3 point line?

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 09:03 PM
I dont know what the equivalent to a 5 tool player is for basketball, but that is what Colby is. That wasn't a foul. His on ball defense and overall bball IQ is SICK

Xavier
02-21-2021, 09:03 PM
Great out of bounds play for an easy lay up there

xavierj
02-21-2021, 09:04 PM
I dont know what the equivalent to a 5 tool player is for basketball, but that is what Colby is. That wasn't a foul. His on ball defense and overall bball IQ is SICK

He has 11 points, 9 boards, 4 assists and 4 steals.

profson
02-21-2021, 09:04 PM
I hope that expectations are exceeded. I do not “expect” that they will be exceeded. There is a reason that they are expectations - based on reasoned analysis. Look at the posts at the beginning of the year, most of us recognized that we lost much of our scoring, were integrating 3 freshmen, 3 transfers (remember Stanley?), an injured big and a redshirt project big. Most of us thought Villanova, Creighton, Seton Hall and probably UConn (with Bouknight) would be better and we would be in the middle with Marquette and Providence. Some people became irrationally exuberant because of the out of conference record. It very well would have looked very different had we gone to the Atlanta tournament (many thought 1-2 to be likely). Bottom line it is not a moral depravity to act rationally and believe that we have shown ourself to be the very team we thought might be the case.
Yes Anderson has achieved a good result. Not sure what one example that you cherry-pick proves. You might find it instructive to read the Johnnies board when they started strong last year and then collapsed - a raft of calls to fire him.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 09:06 PM
He has 11 points, 9 boards, 4 assists and 4 steals.

If you're looking for a mold of the future Xavier recruit, I'll take it all day.

Multi-dimensional, high IQ, plays defense, plays hard, and isn't afraid of the moment.

Core traits - guards or big guys.

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 09:06 PM
He has 11 points, 9 boards, 4 assists and 4 steals.

And arguably our best defender (maybe Scruggs), as a freshman. I'm so impressed with his game.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 09:07 PM
Hey, we need Ws - and we're gonna win - I'm not going to complain too much.

whopper
02-21-2021, 09:08 PM
but we need scruggs sto be colby..we dodged a bullet with a bad scruggs game. Butler makes all games ugly but hard to believe we would have won with Nze, Hodges, and Thompson.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 09:08 PM
I hope that expectations are exceeded. I do not “expect” that they will be exceeded. There is a reason that they are expectations - based on reasoned analysis. Look at the posts at the beginning of the year, most of us recognized that we lost much of our scoring, were integrating 3 freshmen, 3 transfers (remember Stanley?), an injured big and a redshirt project big. Most of us thought Villanova, Creighton, Seton Hall and probably UConn (with Bouknight) would be better and we would be in the middle with Marquette and Providence. Some people became irrationally exuberant because of the out of conference record. It very well would have looked very different had we gone to the Atlanta tournament (many thought 1-2 to be likely). Bottom line it is not a moral depravity to act rationally and believe that we have shown ourself to be the very team we thought might be the case.
Yes Anderson has achieved a good result. Not sure what one example that you cherry-pick proves. You might find it instructive to read the Johnnies board when they started strong last year and then collapsed - a raft of calls to fire him.

If our expectations are 7th in the Big East in a coach's third year after two mediocre at best seasons, that coach had better exceed expectations. Because it's not okay that those are the expectations.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 09:11 PM
Steele makes games ugly

Going 2-19 on open threes will do that as well.

HenryMuto
02-21-2021, 09:11 PM
It wasn't pretty but a win is a win is a win.

paulxu
02-21-2021, 09:12 PM
My score pick tonight sucked donkeys.

Thank you Colby Jones for saving this game.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 09:12 PM
Cover! And I needed 11!

Xville
02-21-2021, 09:13 PM
They covered... yay. A win is a win but man this did not give me warm fuzzies for the rest of the year.

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 09:13 PM
Going 2-19 on open threes will do that as well.

If Kunkel or Nate make one of their wide open looks each (off of called sets) this is a 20 point win. Ultimate burn the tape game here because that was hideous. Let’s go 3-1 down the stretch.

Rotation wise, I would have liked to see KyKy in the second half, but I did like what Odom was bringing in what was clearly going to be a rock fight. So I’m torn.

Lloyd Braun
02-21-2021, 09:13 PM
Cover! And I needed 11!

Same. Wow

bjf123
02-21-2021, 09:13 PM
My score pick tonight sucked donkeys.


You’re not alone!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

xavierj
02-21-2021, 09:13 PM
This team is what it is. If they don’t make shots they will struggle to win games. Hopefully they snap out of this funk. Will take the win but it was more difficult than needed and that was because shooters couldn’t shoot.

SemajParlor
02-21-2021, 09:13 PM
Cover! And I needed 11!

Got the 7.5 this AM and the 10.5 later closer to tip. Good teams win, playing awful teams cover!

Xavier
02-21-2021, 09:14 PM
They covered... yay. A win is a win but man this did not give me warm fuzzies for the rest of the year.

Yep. I’ll take 4 more of those bad boys

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 09:16 PM
If Kunkel or Nate make one of their wide open looks each (off of called sets) this is a 20 point win. Ultimate burn the tape game here because that was hideous. Let’s go 3-1 down the stretch.

Rotation wise, I would have liked to see KyKy in the second half, but I did like what Odom was bringing in what was clearly going to be a rock fight. So I’m torn.

Agree on Tandy. Ramsey or Grif should get a whoooole lot of Carter’s minutes moving forward.

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 09:18 PM
Agree on Tandy. Ramsey or Grif should get a whoooole lot of Carter’s minutes moving forward.

I still like Carter’s physical defense in the post (he is also underrated switching onto guards) but if somehow Griffin or Ramsey (I mean obviously a total unknown) can bring that element with more offensive upside than I’m all for it. Griffin got absolutely worked in ball screen defense when he was active.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 09:19 PM
Carter would be a fine player if he just stopped shooting 3s. Maybe 1 occasionally just to keep the defense honest. But less than 1 per game.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 09:19 PM
I still like Carter’s physical defense in the post (he is also underrated switching onto guards) but if somehow Griffin or Ramsey (I mean obviously a total unknown) can bring that element with more offensive upside than I’m all for it. Griffin got absolutely worked in ball screen defense when he was active.

Carter doesn’t rebound for his mins and is a bad FT shooter. 10 -15 mins shame moving forward.

xuphan
02-21-2021, 09:20 PM
This team is what it is. If they don’t make shots they will struggle to win games. Hopefully they snap out of this funk. Will take the win but it was more difficult than needed and that was because shooters couldn’t shoot.

This coach is what he is. Why Tandy and Ramsey sit the bench in the second half after giving this team a much needed spark at the end of the first half is beyond me. Does Carter have some dirt such as recruiting violations against Steele or something? Just don’t get why he gets as much game time as he does. Anyone have an article or quote as to why Tandy seems to be benched game after game when his offense is so needed with this team? I just don’t get this coaching staff.

UCGRAD4X
02-21-2021, 09:21 PM
Agree on Tandy. Ramsey or Grif should get a whoooole lot of Carter’s minutes moving forward.

How long have we been saying this? This is a serious issue.

Happy with the win but lucky butler had so many players out and just sucked.

We went for a lot of head fakes and butler just missed a lot of open looks.

Dodged a bullet.

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 09:21 PM
Carter doesn’t rebound for his mins and is a bad FT shooter. 10 -15 mins shame moving forward.

Ok, that doesn’t address the one (rather large) factor he brings to this team that it appears no one else does: he can body up physical 5’s and is serviceable in ball screen defense.

Agreed with Go he should never shoot another 3.

If you bring a skill set no one else does, you’re going to play ahead of more talented guys.

UCGRAD4X
02-21-2021, 09:23 PM
Hitting those FTs at the end of the game were huge. Made the margin more than it was realistically and probably won some folks here a dime or two.

profson
02-21-2021, 09:25 PM
If our expectations are 7th in the Big East in a coach's third year after two mediocre at best seasons, that coach had better exceed expectations. Because it's not okay that those are the expectations.

You are confusing what expectations I was referring to. You are making a general statement as to what you expect of a third year coach, or perhaps a third year Xavier coach in the BE. I find that discussion to be of zero interest as it ignores what the coach was left with. As some have mentioned, your reasoning would have led to the firing of Coach K. I used the term expectation in the specific context of what could be reasonably predicted of this specific team at the beginning of the year in light of the specific factors I adumbrated above. To repeat, this team is performing just about where the coaches and the consensus of this board thought would be the case.

Xville
02-21-2021, 09:27 PM
Oh dear lord another coach k comparison

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 09:28 PM
Oh dear lord another coach k comparison

Lmao. Can someone run the numbers on John Wooden’s first three years so we can get ahead of that?

xavierj
02-21-2021, 09:29 PM
Johnson played 36 min and had 4 points and 2 rebounds. Tandy played 7 and had 5 points and 2 rebounds. Carter played 29 minutes and had 3 rebounds, Ramsey played 5 minutes and had two rebounds. Johnson was 2 of 10 from the field and 0-6 from three. Between Carter and Johnson they were 0-8 from three. The reason the game was tight can be pointed right at those two guys. Oh and Paul’s night didn’t help either.

bobbiemcgee
02-21-2021, 09:29 PM
Anybody wonder what happened to the team that hit 19 3's against #9 OU?

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 09:30 PM
Ok, that doesn’t address the one (rather large) factor he brings to this team that it appears no one else does: he can body up physical 5’s and is serviceable in ball screen defense.

Agreed with Go he should never shoot another 3.

If you bring a skill set no one else does, you’re going to play ahead of more talented guys.

He can body the 5s? Really? I see 5 hook shorting all over him and he doesn’t rebound enough to get the minutes he does.

GoMuskies
02-21-2021, 09:31 PM
Oh dear lord another coach k comparison

If Steele signs the #1 class in 2021, I say we DEFINITELY keep him!

profson
02-21-2021, 09:36 PM
This board has been obsessed with Carter, Kunkel, Tandy, Fremantle. So be it but there is nothing more to say on any side. I have been surprised that very little has been said about the play of Scruggs and Odom lately. In the case of Scruggs there have been several games of little scoring. It seems he is now finding it more difficult to penetrate off the dribble. What are the other teams doing to cause this and is the answer that we simply need better shooting from 3 by the team to open lanes? Thoughts? And until today Odom has been invisible for a month. Did he hit the freshman wall? Change in defending him as teams slough off since he is not a shooting threat? COVID? Thoughts?

JTG
02-21-2021, 09:39 PM
I thought the game was very poorly officiated, especially in the paint. Butler's Golden was an offensive foul machine in the paint while Free was called for barely touching people. Once Golden chicken winged Carter in the neck and Carter was called for the foul. If one team is out manned the officials shouldn't try to level the playing field by making shit up.

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 09:41 PM
He can body the 5s? Really? I see 5 hook shorting all over him and he doesn’t rebound enough to get the minutes he does.

No one on the roster can guard true bigs AND play ball screens which allows X to play the defense they want to as well as Carter. That’s why he plays so much. It’s not that complicated. I know some have a seriously low opinion on Steele, but do you think he’s dumb enough to roll him out there for his offense?

xavierj
02-21-2021, 09:43 PM
One positive on the night was the freshman and sophomore class score 47 of the 63 points, 27 of the 36 rebounds, made the only two threes, went 17 of 29 from the floor 8 of the 16 assists, and 6 of the 9 steals. Odom, Zach and Jones had really solid games and then got good first half minutes from Ramsey and Tandy.

Strange Brew
02-21-2021, 09:44 PM
This board has been obsessed with Carter, Kunkel, Tandy, Fremantle. So be it but there is nothing more to say on any side. I have been surprised that very little has been said about the play of Scruggs and Odom lately. In the case of Scruggs there have been several games of little scoring. It seems he is now finding it more difficult to penetrate off the dribble. What are the other teams doing to cause this and is the answer that we simply need better shooting from 3 by the team to open lanes? Thoughts? And until today Odom has been invisible for a month. Did he hit the freshman wall? Change in defending him as teams slough off since he is not a shooting threat? COVID? Thoughts?

When 4 guys are standing on the arc and can’t hit, the dribble drive can be doubled.

xudash
02-21-2021, 09:46 PM
This team is what it is. If they don’t make shots they will struggle to win games. Hopefully they snap out of this funk. Will take the win but it was more difficult than needed and that was because shooters couldn’t shoot.

Agreed. Seriously, this is the antithesis of the Oklahoma game.

In the abstract, imagine if they get hot like that - or at least to an approximate degree - again down the stretch. There won’t be much to complain about here, so long as the defense improves and is executed with energy.

whopper
02-21-2021, 09:46 PM
I agree and I hope that no senior tries to take the "free year" in that if Nate, Paul and Jason are gone (don't know about Griffin) we may have enough time for everyone as Colby can clearly play point forward. Don't forget Stanley should return and I think he was actually our leading per minute scorer(poor sample size I know). I love our senior but it is time for the new guys to get the reins.

Xville
02-21-2021, 09:49 PM
Maybe this is anecdotal and not necessarily true but Scruggs seems to have been hot and cold throughout his entire career at x. I hate to say it but as such a highly rated recruit, I think he’s been a bit of a disappointment.

Odom had covid...I had it and felt like hell for two weeks and didn’t feel “normal” for about a month....makes sense that Odom would just now be getting back to the swing of things.

Xville
02-21-2021, 10:02 PM
I agree and I hope that no senior tries to take the "free year" in that if Nate, Paul and Jason are gone (don't know about Griffin) we may have enough time for everyone as Colby can clearly play point forward. Don't forget Stanley should return and I think he was actually our leading per minute scorer(poor sample size I know). I love our senior but it is time for the new guys to get the reins.

Agreed and doubt they will. I’m sure those guys are looking to get on with their lives especially after what has been a brutal year for most everyone.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 10:03 PM
I think Paul has earned the benefit of the doubt at this point, but this team needs him to be more consistent.

I'm guessing he's likely the focus of most of our opponent's game plans. If I'm picking someone to take away and I'm the opposing coach, it's probably him.

boozehound
02-21-2021, 10:11 PM
I’m just glad that Carter’s 17% 3pt percentage on the season doesn’t stop him from having the green light to shoot multiple in the game. Early in the shot clock, no less.

I can’t understand that from a coaching perspective.

drudy23
02-21-2021, 10:13 PM
I’m just glad that Carter’s 17% 3pt percentage on the season doesn’t stop him from having the green light to shoot multiple in the game. Early in the shot clock, no less.

I can’t understand that from a coaching perspective.

He's the stretch 4 steele has always wanted.

xavierj
02-21-2021, 10:14 PM
I think Paul has earned the benefit of the doubt at this point, but this team needs him to be more consistent.

I'm guessing he's likely the focus of most of our opponent's game plans. If I'm picking someone to take away and I'm the opposing coach, it's probably him.

I agree and hopefully this is the last game he scores 2 points. Xavier cannot beat anyone else in the league when Nate and Paul combine for 6 points.

xu82
02-21-2021, 10:21 PM
Agreed. Seriously, this is the antithesis of the Oklahoma game.

In the abstract, imagine if they get hot like that - or at least to an approximate degree - again down the stretch. There won’t be much to complain about here, so long as the defense improves and is executed with energy.

I think you underestimate us! :-)

Xville
02-21-2021, 10:30 PM
He's the stretch 4 steele has always wanted.

Very Kris Jenkins like lol

xavierj
02-21-2021, 10:43 PM
IÂ’m just glad that CarterÂ’s 17% 3pt percentage on the season doesnÂ’t stop him from having the green light to shoot multiple in the game. Early in the shot clock, no less.

I canÂ’t understand that from a coaching perspective.

I agree. Now last year Carter was not completely terrible from three and shot close to 32%, but this year he is 17% and is shooting more threes than last year. He was 4 of 5 from two tonight, which is what you need from him. Take and make easy shots around the rim. He also made his free throws. Now you need more than 3 rebounds but he was not completely terrible tonight. Just stop shooting threes unless itÂ’s late in the clock. Maybe in they are giving you 20 feet to shoot, drive in and shoot a short jumper or drive and dish it off.

Xville
02-21-2021, 10:56 PM
I like Johnson, but can someone explain to me what he did tonight to deserve 37 minutes?

Drew
02-21-2021, 11:13 PM
I like Johnson, but can someone explain to me what he did tonight to deserve 37 minutes?

I have no doubt your mind goes blank when X plays defense but he had multiple steals and played solid defense.

XU_Lou
02-21-2021, 11:19 PM
Have to seriously wonder what Ramsey and Tandy are thinking on the bench right now...”like what the fuck else do you want us to do to play, coach”


I like Johnson, but can someone explain to me what he did tonight to deserve 37 minutes?

Man, you really should be the coach. I mean, it's so obvious you've forgotten far more about basketball than what Steele has ever learned. Did you forget to submit your game plan to Steele again? Is that the reason why they struggled tonight? Damn, you don't know how much we all miss you not being on the sideline...

AviatorX
02-21-2021, 11:26 PM
I like Johnson, but can someone explain to me what he did tonight to deserve 37 minutes?

Probably something to do with the fact that he’s been one of the most valuable players on the team the entire season, is X’s best defender on the wing, and has proven multiple times he get can nuclear hot from 3 at the drop of a hat and change a game. Is this a real question?

Xville
02-21-2021, 11:31 PM
Probably something to do with the fact that he’s been one of the most valuable players on the team the entire season, is X’s best defender on the wing, and has proven multiple times he get can nuclear hot from 3 at the drop of a hat and change a game. Is this a real question?

Like I said I like the guy, but he had a pretty horrid game offensively. No doubt he can get hot, and he’s had a good year, I just continue to wonder why Steele doesn’t make adjustments in lineups based off results during the game.

Xville
02-21-2021, 11:34 PM
I have no doubt your mind goes blank when X plays defense but he had multiple steals and played solid defense.

Multiple still means more than one, right? Just messing, but he only had one. I will freely admit I wasn’t watching him much on d during the game, I was watching free a lot on that side just to see if he improved from last game. I’ll take a look at him again. Not that stats are the end all be all but I see 37 minutes 4 pts 2 rbs 1 steal and o assists and wonder if maybe someone could have taken a few of his minutes.

XUBison
02-21-2021, 11:35 PM
Man, you really should be the coach. I mean, it's so obvious you've forgotten far more about basketball than what Steele has ever learned. Did you forget to submit your game plan to Steele again? Is that the reason why they struggled tonight? Damn, you don't know how much we all miss you not being on the sideline...

This is a retarded post.

Xville
02-21-2021, 11:39 PM
Man, you really should be the coach. I mean, it's so obvious you've forgotten far more about basketball than what Steele has ever learned. Did you forget to submit your game plan to Steele again? Is that the reason why they struggled tonight? Damn, you don't know how much we all miss you not being on the sideline...

Ok

XU_Lou
02-21-2021, 11:42 PM
I like Johnson, but can someone explain to me what he did tonight to deserve 37 minutes?

Well, this comment didn't go over so well, did it genius?

Xville
02-21-2021, 11:43 PM
Well, this comment didn't go over so well, did it genius?

Ok

XU_Lou
02-21-2021, 11:48 PM
Ok

Uh oh, looks like the record is skipping...

profson
02-21-2021, 11:51 PM
At the end of the day, in spite of the angst on this board and admittedly not playing well, X won a game it had to win by almost exactly the spread Vegas predicted, and if they don’t have a lot of good wins they will have no bad losses in the regular season. (Kenpom has each of Providence, Marquette and Georgetown as a 1 or 2 point game so none would be truly a bad loss, not even Georgetown as it is away.). 2-2 should put us in decent shape for the dance. That is doable though not easy as the 4th game is Creighton.

Xville
02-21-2021, 11:51 PM
Not that Lunardi is the best bracket guy out there, but just saw he has Xavier now in the last 4 in category. A bit concerning when 3 of the last 4 are on the road. Though this one was a bit ugly, hopefully they can just use the win as a springboard and build some confidence.

Xville
02-21-2021, 11:53 PM
Uh oh, looks like the record is skipping...

Ok

xukeith
02-21-2021, 11:55 PM
I hope Odom can develop a pull up jumper. He drives in transition extremely well. he can penetrate the zone or coverage easily and just pull up for a high percentage shot. X looks good over next 3 years with the frosh and Sophomores.

xukeith
02-21-2021, 11:57 PM
Nate is our best shooter when X passes well around with defensive breakdowns.

xu82
02-21-2021, 11:59 PM
I hope Odom can develop a pull up jumper. He drives in transition extremely well. he can penetrate the zone or coverage easily and just pull up for a high percentage shot. X looks good over next 3 years with the frosh and Sophomores.

Isn’t that what it’s all about? I totally get the frustration with some decisions, but I’m a patient guy. The players and the staff (HC included) need to grow into this.

Xville
02-22-2021, 12:04 AM
I hope Odom can develop a pull up jumper. He drives in transition extremely well. he can penetrate the zone or coverage easily and just pull up for a high percentage shot. X looks good over next 3 years with the frosh and Sophomores.

It might be too late at this point and may completely screw him up, I dunno...but I wonder if the staff would look to change his shooting motion at all after the season. It is just so herky jerky. If not, hope he can make it work because man he does have oodles of athleticism.

xu82
02-22-2021, 12:14 AM
It might be too late at this point and may completely screw him up, I dunno...but I wonder if the staff would look to change his shooting motion at all after the season. It is just so herky jerky. If not, hope he can make it work because man he does have oodles of athleticism.

I think the great one’s find a way to shore up their weaknesses in all sports. I’ll keep the faith and hope they all keep improving. That’s what makes teams (and players) great. I’m a glass half full guy. I love our upside.

OTRMUSKIE
02-22-2021, 12:46 AM
Whatever happened to ball movement? At the beginning of the season this team passed the ball to each other looking for an open shot. I don’t see any of that anymore. It’s just Jack a three or watch Fremantle in the paint do a baby hook

XUGRAD80
02-22-2021, 06:21 AM
[QUOTE=OTRMUSKIE;694599 It’s just Jack a three or watch Fremantle in the paint do a baby hook[/QUOTE]

Oh jeeez, not this again. Seriously?

They took 55 total shots in the game, 19 of which where 3 pointers. That means that 36 were not...almost 2:1 ratio.

Fremantle took 9 shots, 3 of which where 3 pointers. He missed all three. But on his other shots he was 5-6, and I truthfully think that at least 3 of those were layups and know that one of them was a dunk. That baby hook is one of his most effective shots and he shoots them at a pretty high %. Unfortunately he is still not strong enough to just force his shot through people, but I like the fact that he does have a fairly decent midrange game and doesn’t have to rely on dunks in order to score. The recent Xavier bigs didn’t have this as part of their game and had to rely on power. Free is more of a finesse player for sure. (Xavier NEEDS some power players to complement him)

I think what happens here is that people remember what they want to remember, and it seems that many are just remembering the BAD things. The 3 point shooting from yesterday’s game comes down to Johnson and Carter missing so much. As far as I’m concerned Carter has no business taking a 3 pointer, but it also seems that every time he drives to the basket he commits an offensive foul. To late now, but it would have been good for him to have developed a pull up 10-15 foot shot. Johnson was taking step back 3 pointers. Watch him, when he is missing it’s because he is not stepping INTO the shot. That’s a bad habit he is getting into.

The shot selection by some of the X players leaves much to be desired at times. Just because you’re open from beyond the arc doesn’t mean you always need to take that shot. One of the things I think is worth watching is the rebounding position of players when someone is taking an outside shot. I was taught to not take that shot unless you had teammates in a rebounding position. I know the game is much more open than how it used to be played, but I still thank that’s pretty good advice. I see the opposite happening pretty often, not just with X, but with most every other team.

Overall, I thought the ball movement was mostly pretty good. When they stopped moving the ball in the 1st half was when they went into a scoring drought and Butler climbed back into the game. That is a reoccurring theme in many X games, it seems to me. They have lulls where it is shoot a 3 quickly or Fremantle one on one, but I don’t see that as something they are doing ALL the time. It’s about 25% of the time (which is still way to often) and it’s during those periods that they either let the other team back into the game, or fall hopelessly behind. How much of of that is just youthful inexperience and how much of it is coaching is certainly up for debate and I feel I can guess who is going to go which way on that. From what I see it most often happens after the first wave of subs, about mid-way into the 1st half, on a regular basis. I’m sure that at least some of that is lack of PRACTICE time too.

bleedXblue
02-22-2021, 07:34 AM
Positives:
1. We won
2. Colby Jones
3. Daniel Ramsey
4. Created some steals on the defensive end
5. I though Odom played well and should get some more minutes.
6. That was Xavier youth leading the way last night. Colby and Free.......

Negatives:
1. Whats going on with Scruggs?
2. Free- shut the mouth. Damn just play
3. Carter and quick 3's. Why? That's on Steele at this point
4. Still way to many defensive lapses and guys wide open on the perimeter.
5. Rebounding and basic blocking techniques aren't happening
6. Where was Ramsey and KyKy in second half? They EARNED a few minutes at the very least.
7. Kunkel and Johnson. Geesh. Kunkel can sit the pine right now. He's been ice cold for multiple games in a row. Insert KyKy and give the kid a chance to get some real miniutes.

Other than the win, not much here to expect much different to happen on Weds. I do like the young Butler guards.

boozehound
02-22-2021, 08:22 AM
I thought that the energy from the team was great yesterday, but the play obviously was not. It's hard to believe that a team with this many shooters can go this cold for multiple games. When nobody can hit an outside shot the offense falls apart. Offensive rebounding wasn't very good either.

Here's my opinion on some of the individual performances:

Scruggs - Didn't play horribly, but didn't play well. Kept up the intensity and effort and made good decisions with the ball, but kind of faded into the background on offense. When Paul is cold he kind of takes himself out of the game on offense. This was one of those games.
Freemantle - Had some defensive lapses, but played well overall
Carter - 2 quick 3's. I agree that those are on Steele at this point. Another poster also mentioned Carter's penchant for offensive fouls. I think it's because he almost never establishes post position and received the ball near the basket in a position to score. He commits fouls on offense because he is trying to drive to the basket from WAY too far away, and lacks the athleticism to alter his direction.
Kunkel - Ice cold, and really doesn't seem to give us much if he isn't shooting well. Plays with energy and intensity though.
Johnson - Gives us more than Kunkel, but is still pretty limited offensively when his shot isn't falling
Tandy - Should have played more. He did take one 3 that I thought was questionable early in the clock right after his first made 3 (KyKy loves the heat check), but he was shooting fairly well and we could have used the offense. He seems to be in the dog house, but I'm not sure why at this point relative to some of the other guys.
Odom - Played fairly well I thought. He is quick and has a nice handle on the ball. I continue to think he could be a very good PG for us.
Jones - I thought that Colby really played well, and might have been our best player last night. He rebounded and scored, but didn't force shots. Had some key defensive plays, too.

I didn't think the coaching was great. At this point I wonder if we aren't playing too many people and it's hurting our ability to develop communication and a rhythm out there. It kind of feels like Steele isn't sure what the problem is, so he's just going to keep trying different lineups to see if one works. I realize that they missed a lot of time, but it's pretty late in the season for that. I also don't think we have anyone who is 'the guy'. Scruggs is the closest, and I love Paul, but he will just kind of shut down offensively after missing a few shots. Who do we go to when we need a bucket? A couple of times down the stretch it was Carter (or Freemantle) from 3. That just shouldn't happen.

xuwillie
02-22-2021, 09:26 AM
Whatever happened to ball movement? At the beginning of the season this team passed the ball to each other looking for an open shot. I don’t see any of that anymore. It’s just Jack a three or watch Fremantle in the paint do a baby hook

Odom was playing more. Not sure if it’s covid related but he needs to be the starting pg for this team.

bleedXblue
02-22-2021, 09:30 AM
Odom was playing more. Not sure if it’s covid related but he needs to be the starting pg for this team.

Scruggs is not a PG!!!! Totally agree but think Odom and him should split minutes. Get Scruggs off the ball some more in some isolation where he excels.

xuwillie
02-22-2021, 09:38 AM
Scruggs is not a PG!!!! Totally agree but think Odom and him should split minutes. Get Scruggs off the ball some more in some isolation where he excels.

And we need scruggs to be in a better position to score more. Odom would help that tremendously

markchal
02-22-2021, 09:50 AM
This board does spend too much time talking about Tandy/Carter/etc. The reality is pretty clear, we are not a good team UNLESS both Freemantle and Scruggs are playing well. It's been awhile since they both played well in the same game, and I think teams know disrupting Scruggs is key to beating us, but he's gotta be more assertive over these next few games.

Love what Ramsey did in his 4 minutes, but he didn't look very comfortable on D (and why would he? the guy has barely practiced over two years), so let's not get carried away with demanding more time for him in the rotation (his spark had some real Dontarius James vibes to it). If Carter is losing minutes to anyone, I'd still like to see more Wilcher.

We can debate Tandy/Kunkel all day long, but they could both be nice sparks off the bench. With Odom/Jones playing like they did last night, we need more of them and we need our senior backcourt to get it together and we can be decent.

I think what's been most frustrating is that we have some good players, and can see the potential this team *could* have, but they never seem to be totally in a groove, and even this late in the season it's tough to know where guys stand. We know our starting 5 (Scruggs/Nate/Jones/Carter/Free) but the next 5? We probably need a consistent rotation of 8-9 guys, but the wonky sub patterns are making it tough for roles to be clear.

xuwillie
02-22-2021, 09:55 AM
Think the issue with Carter is he doesn't deserve near the minutes he's getting. He can be a serviceable 6th man but is such a liability on the offensive end to get 30+ minutes a game as your starting PF in the Big East.

boozehound
02-22-2021, 10:24 AM
Scruggs is not a PG!!!! Totally agree but think Odom and him should split minutes. Get Scruggs off the ball some more in some isolation where he excels.

Agreed. Our PG recruiting has been trash for like 5 years before (hopefully) Odom. We never managed to even have a solid backup for Goodin, much less anyone who could challenge him for the starting spot. Then when Q graduated we had to settle for a combo of Paul and Naji, which was a disaster.

Scruggs' passing and decision making are fine, but he does not have a good enough handle on the ball to really be a PG. I'd love to see more of Odom running the point to see if that can free Paul up some to make a few more plays. Forcing Scruggs to play PG sub-optimizes the offense in multiple ways.

waggy
02-22-2021, 11:00 AM
I like the ball in Colby's hands in the half court. And with Scruggs and Johnson you don't need another guard on the floor.

xuwillie
02-22-2021, 11:11 AM
Agree with the Colby comment but you still need a true PG running this team.

GoMuskies
02-22-2021, 11:16 AM
Is this the kind of garbage you guys pay for at Musketeer Report?

https://twitter.com/musketeerreport/status/1363881122451640324?s=20


Xavier 247
@musketeerreport
Replying to
@cjfclarke
Yeah, it's kind of a bummer that the Big East has already become the A-10 to X fans in terms of expectations and respect for other teams.


According to Sagarin, Butler would be the 8th best team in the A-10 this year. And that's BEFORE losing three of their best players. That was essentially your average LaSalle team in Cintas last night.

waggy
02-22-2021, 11:20 AM
Odom, Tandy and Kunkel (not necessarily in that order) are the back-ups.

markchal
02-22-2021, 11:21 AM
According to Sagarin, Butler would be the 8th best team in the A-10 this year. And that's BEFORE losing three of their best players. That was essentially your average LaSalle team in Cintas last night.

Yeah, that was a truly awful Butler team last night. Watching us go 2-19 from 3 against a team missing some of its best defenders does not having me feel optimistic about this very critical stretch to close the season.

xuwillie
02-22-2021, 11:25 AM
Odom, Tandy and Kunkel (not necessarily in that order) are the back-ups.

Then you’re fine with the same team you’ve seen the last 3 games?

waggy
02-22-2021, 11:30 AM
Then you’re fine with the same team you’ve seen the last 3 games?

Do you think any of those guys should replace the starters of Scruggs, Johnson & Colby? I don't.

Xville
02-22-2021, 11:36 AM
I don’t either but I’d have no problem playing 4 out 1 in and have one of those guards in. I’d much rather have one of those three out on the 3 point line than carter.

XUGRAD80
02-22-2021, 11:39 AM
I don’t either but I’d have no problem playing 4 out 1 in and have one of those guards in. I’d much rather have one of those three out on the 3 point line than carter.

But would you rather have Carter or one of those three rotating/switching into the post while on defense?

waggy
02-22-2021, 11:44 AM
I don’t either but I’d have no problem playing 4 out 1 in and have one of those guards in. I’d much rather have one of those three out on the 3 point line than carter.

I forgot about Wilcher. Damn, this Covid mess has really made it difficult.

Xville
02-22-2021, 11:47 AM
But would you rather have Carter or one of those three rotating/switching into the post while on defense?

Fair point but I would like to try it. Id move Colby or Johnson to the 4 on d. I’d also be in favor of carter with 4 guards, not in starting lineup because free should be out there, but I’d like to continue seeing that as we did last night for a few as well.

If Steele is going to continue to play carter and free together, can x at least stop putting carter on the three point line which does nothing for the offense?

waggy
02-22-2021, 11:52 AM
Without Carter (or someone of his ilk) in the game I foresee foul trouble.

xuwillie
02-22-2021, 11:54 AM
I do agree it’s hard to have Odom and Carter on the floor at the same time. I would like to see Jones take some minutes from Carter though. That would help Odom get more minutes this team desperately needs.

XUGRAD80
02-22-2021, 12:06 PM
I don’t think that Jones and Whilcher are at a point YET where other teams will adjust to them being on the floor. It’s going to take Jones continuing to do what he has been doing over the last few games, and Whilcher stepping up his offensive game. Nor has either shown the ability YET to play stellar defense against larger players. Give them time, they are still freshman with really only 1/2 a normal season down. Therefore, I think we are stuck with Carter playing more minutes, at least until either Griffin can get back on the floor or Steele gives Ramsey or Miles some of his minutes. But Lordy I wish I’d never see him take a three pointer or drive the line from outside the arc ever again.

bleedXblue
02-22-2021, 12:44 PM
I don’t think that Jones and Whilcher are at a point YET where other teams will adjust to them being on the floor. It’s going to take Jones continuing to do what he has been doing over the last few games, and Whilcher stepping up his offensive game. Nor has either shown the ability YET to play stellar defense against larger players. Give them time, they are still freshman with really only 1/2 a normal season down. Therefore, I think we are stuck with Carter playing more minutes, at least until either Griffin can get back on the floor or Steele gives Ramsey or Miles some of his minutes. But Lordy I wish I’d never see him take a three pointer or drive the line from outside the arc ever again.

Like Carter or not, he's pretty versatile and moves well defensively for his size. They had him on Champagnie from St John's b/c of his size and length. Bryan Griffin can't do that. Very disappointing that he never really developed any other offensive tools that what he brought to X from OU. He's been a solid player though........

XUGRAD80
02-22-2021, 01:14 PM
Like Carter or not, he's pretty versatile and moves well defensively for his size. They had him on Champagnie from St John's b/c of his size and length. Bryan Griffin can't do that. Very disappointing that he never really developed any other offensive tools that what he brought to X from OU. He's been a solid player though........


I agree that he has been a valuable player in many ways. He was the leading rebounder on the team earlier in the season and has still done a decent job at that in BE play. He plays good team defense and doesn’t turn the ball over a lot (other than his offensive fouls). Can’t really ask anymore of him that what he’s given. He is what he is. Unfortunately X has needed him to start and play a bunch of minutes. I think that’s more a testament to the lack of quality players X has in the position now, than it is a testament to his all round game. He’s a good player, but not always a smart player. As a 4 year player, I’d like to see him stop trying to do things that by now he should realize he can’t. But I don’t think that X has a for certain viable replacement, all they have is some player that MIGHT be viable replacements and that WILL be called on to fill his spot next year and the years after that.